Historical Fiction: The Good, The Bad, The Annoying

Historical Fiction: The Good, The Bad, The Annoying

It's time for a genre deep dive on Historical Fiction. We define it, discuss when it shines, when it gets it wrong, which time periods we need less of, and which timelines we want to visit more. Finally, we highlight the historical fiction novels we recommend everyone add to their TBR.  * The Popcast Spring Gift Guide [https://thepopcast.myflodesk.com/hvzwbyln2c] for FREE dollars which includes 3 months of Hardbacks for no dollars * Our List of Historical Fiction Books Mentioned [https://bookshop.org/lists/historical-fiction-the-good-the-bad-the-annoying]on Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/lists/historical-fiction-the-good-the-bad-the-annoying] (this isn't just to get your money. It's so you're not spoiled in the show notes.) * The Odyssey movie trailer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_bKjZeJBBI] * Our Patreon: Shelf Respect [https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfRespect] * Our Instagram: @readwithshelfrespect [https://www.instagram.com/readwithshelfrespect/] * readwithshelfrespect.com [https://readwithshelfrespect.com/]

Non-Fic Icks: Our Non-Fiction Pet Peeves

We camp out with all our pet peeves when reading non-fiction books. This includes self-help, memoirs, religion, cookbooks, true crime, business, and more. We share ours and we share AND judge many of yours.  * Tik Tokker: LitLovinDiva sharing her Dramione Fic Icks [https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8p28Ngj/] * Our Patreon: Shelf Respect [https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfRespect] (7-day free trial available) * The Popcast Spring Gift Guide [https://thepopcast.myflodesk.com/hvzwbyln2c] for FREE dollars (includes 3 months of Hardback for free on page 9) * Faster [https://www.amazon.com/Faster-System-Finishing-What-Matters-ebook/dp/B0F3VCZTSH] * Shelf Respect on Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/shop/shelfrespect] * Our Instagram: @readwithshelfrespect [https://www.instagram.com/readwithshelfrespect/] * readwithshelfrespect.com [https://readwithshelfrespect.com/]

Literary Spring Awakenings: First Reading Loves

We're taking it back to the characters we met in our youth who served as our literary spring awakening, those first tingles of romantic love. We share ours - YOU ARE NOT READY FOR KNOX'S - and we share many of yours. Which character got your motor running for the first time? Your heart race? Your blood boil (complimentary)? * The Popcast Spring Gift Guide [https://thepopcast.myflodesk.com/hvzwbyln2c] for FREE dollars * Waldo's Beach Scene [https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/76872/waldos-topless-beach-scandal] * Our Patreon: Shelf Respect [https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfRespect] * Our Instagram: @readwithshelfrespect [https://www.instagram.com/readwithshelfrespect/] * readwithshelfrespect.com [https://readwithshelfrespect.com/]

Odd Reader Out: Short Stories

In this episode series, Odd Reader Out, one or two of your Shelf Respect hosts will take a literary concept the other host or hosts are unfamiliar with and attempt to entice them into jumping on the bandwagon. In this installment, Knox is walking Erin and Jamie through one of his favorite reading experiences: short stories. * Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates (text in full [https://ia601403.us.archive.org/12/items/short_story_roulette/Oates%2C%20Joyce%20Carol%20-%20Where%20Are%20You%20Going%2C%20Where%20Have%20You%20Been_text.pdf]) * The Wondering Years: How Pop Culture Helped Me Answer Life's Biggest Questions [https://bookshop.org/a/20385/9780785220848] by Knox McCoy * All Things Reconsidered: How Rethinking What We Know Helps Us Know What We Believe [https://bookshop.org/a/20385/9780785220923] by Knox McCoy * I've Got Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having It Out with God [https://bookshop.org/a/20385/9781540904089] by Erin Moon * Knox's Substack: Binge Thinking [https://knoxmccoy.substack.com] * Erin's Substack: The Swipe Up [https://erinhmoon.substack.com] * Cathedral [https://bookshop.org/a/20385/9780679723691] by Raymond Carver * Florida [https://bookshop.org/a/20385/9781594634529] by Lauren Groff * Preorder The Frenzy [https://bookshop.org/a/20385/9780593978115] by Joyce Carol Oates * A Good Man is Hard to Find [https://bookshop.org/a/20385/9780358139560] by Flannery O'Connor * The Lottery [https://bookshop.org/a/20385/9781250239365] by Shirley Jackson * Our Patreon: Shelf Respect [https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfRespect] * Our Instagram: @readwithshelfrespect [https://www.instagram.com/readwithshelfrespect/] * readwithshelfrespect.com [https://readwithshelfrespect.com/]

New Books Snake Draft: Spring 2026

Spring has sprung and we're tackling all the new books coming out in April, May, and June of 2026. Get your TBRs ready. * Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shelf-respect/id1877017948] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6cfTJ9FuQgTDrW13U57H88?si=46e2b9400f874661]. Five stars, please and thank you. (Even if that's not where you listen. No rules, just right.) * Our List of Snake Draft Picks [https://bookshop.org/lists/new-books-spring-2026-snake-draft] on Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/shop/shelfrespect] (this isn't just to get your money. It's so you're not spoiled in the show notes) * Sign up to be notified [https://www.commongroundpilgrimages.com/newsletter] about Erin's upcoming Common Ground Pilgrimage trip for Hamnet. * Whistler [https://bookshop.org/a/20385/9780063511637] by Ann Patchett * The Correspondent [https://bookshop.org/a/20385/9780593798430] by Virginia Evans * Son of Nobody [https://bookshop.org/a/20385/9781324118138] by Yann Martel * The Subtle Art of Folding Space [https://bookshop.org/a/20385/9781250425409] by John Chu * American Fantasy [https://bookshop.org/a/20385/9798217046850] by Emma Straub * Our Patreon: Shelf Respect [https://www.patreon.com/c/ShelfRespect] * Our Instagram: @readwithshelfrespect [https://www.instagram.com/readwithshelfrespect/] * readwithshelfrespect.com [https://readwithshelfrespect.com/] * Knox McCoy on Substack [https://knoxmccoy.substack.com] * Erin Moon on Substack [https://erinhmoon.substack.com] * Jamie B. Golden on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jamiebgolden/] What's your spring reading vibe? What's the best first kiss you've read in a book? Which new books do you have your eye on?